One of many ex-University players to cross to Melbourne when their original club folded at the end of 1914, Bryan was a medical student who had represented Tasmania during the 1911 interstate carnival.

Upon joining the Fuschias he helped them qualify for their first finals series in more than a decade before having his career derailed by World War I.

He returned in 1920 for three more games despite having been linked with a move to St Kilda midway through the year. He missed the end of the season after being hospitalised for an operation and didn't play VFL football again.